Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)

Turkey Oak is a common oak of dry, sandy areas in the Coastal Plain in North Carolina, particularly abundant in the Sandhills region.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Columbus Co., NC 9/29/2013.

One unique feature of the leaves is their arrangement — they are held vertically instead of horizontally, presumably to avoid the sun during mid-day and receive more solar radiation when the heat load is not as high.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

This sapling at Carolina Beach State Park is growing in pure sand.

New Hanover Co., NC 8/29/09.

This small oak is adapted to xeric sandy soils and usually grows in the understory of Longleaf Pine forests.